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Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw): Morals and Behaviour

The more science and technology advances, the greater is the need for the observance and practice of the teachings and instructions of divine prophets in human societies. This is because science and technology provide only machines and instruments and by no means prevent their misuse by human beings.

The terrible rise in murder, other felonies, corruption, suicide and so forth clearly points to this very fact. If morality, which is a significant part of the teachings of divine prophets, does not prevail and govern in human societies, surely not only will advanced science and technology fail to ensure human peace and prosperity, but they will add to our problems and miseries. For the exploiters and colonialists utilize advanced technology and sciences for their own satanic purposes. They murder or make homeless millions of human beings as they have always done and trample upon the rights of the weak and the defenseless.

As a matter of fact, the only factor that can halter man's restive soul and control his stormy instincts and passions and thus utilize science and technology for human prosperity and pacific life is true morality, which originates in faith in Allah (SWT).

The moral teachings and precepts of the divine prophets and their moral behaviour are the best means of leading man to his ideal life. It goes without saying that both in personal and in social life the observance of moral principles is required of all. However, for those who must lead societies and guide the people, this requirement is much greater, because, first, the one who is the instructor of society must himself be a model of supreme moral behaviour and excellent human characteristics, so he will be able to wipe moral decay out of people's hearts and minds. Obviously if he himself is lacking in morality, he will fail to lead the people onto the path of humanity and virtue.

Second, the responsibility of leading human societies is so great and crucial that no one can successfully perform it unless he has perfect morals. For this reason, Allah (SWT) selected his prophets from among those who possessed exalted spirits, great tolerance, extraordinary patience, and other excellent moral characteristics. It was with this weapon of morality that divine prophets overturned the debased societies that were plunged in corruption and led the ignorant people who had gone astray onto the path of virtue and salvation.

In Noble Qur'an, Allah (SWT) has addressed Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw): "Thus it is due to mercy from Allah that you deal with them gently, and had you been rough, hard hearted, they would certainly have dispersed from around you." (3:159)

The sublime celestial morals of Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) brought about the waves of the revolution of Islam first in Arabian society and afterwards all over the world. In the light of this all-embracing spiritual and intellectual resurrection, dispersion turned into unity, unchaste into chastity and virtue, idleness into hard work and industry, selfishness to altruism, and Arab arrogance to modesty and affection. Men and women were thus trained to become models of good moral behaviour and have altruistic manners forever. The morals of Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) were so sublime and praiseworthy that Allah (SWT) has regarded them as great. 'And truly you (Muhammad) possess great morals' (Noble Qur'an, 68:4)

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) has said, "I have been sent only for the purpose of perfecting good morals".

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) has said, "The best of you are those who have the best morals".

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) has said, "You cannot treat people by means of your wealth; hence, you should treat them by means of your moral conduct".

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) has said, "The most (important) things that cause people to reach Heaven are divine piety and a good temper".

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) among the people

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) possessed the magnificent status of prophecy and divine leadership, but his manners in dealing with the people and his way of life were so simple and gentle that when he was among the people and a newcomer wanted to know about him, he had to ask, 'Which one of you is the Prophet'?

He had no love for luxuries or the illusions of this mortal world. He was never enchanted by any worldly things, and he invariably looked upon this world's life as a passing one.

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) spoke in short, meaningful sentences and was never seen or heard to interrupt anybody's speech.

He never spoke with a morose face, nor did he ever apply rough, awkward words instead he always spoke with a smiling face. Unlike grants and despotic rulers, Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) never looked at those who were addressing him with half-closed eyes. Whenever he met anyone he said, 'Salamun Alaikum'.

Although Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) was the Messenger of Allah (SWT) and had been appointed by Allah (SWT) to guide the people, yet he was not ashamed of doing his work with his own hands. Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) assisted the members of his family in household work and performed the jobs of other persons with great pleasure. Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) mended his clothes and shoes. He also took part in the construction of Masjid-E-Nabawi in Medinah along with his companions (Sahabah).

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) did not care to sit down in the seat of honour in gatherings, and on entering any place would sit down in the first empty seat available.

He did not let anybody stand up before him and treated others most respectfully. Of course, the virtuous people were most revered by him.

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) was justly angered when he observed a violation of Allah's (SWT) commands and of Islam and was most pleased at the good deeds. Both his pleasure and displeasure were only for Allah (SWT).

Owing to his great modesty, he normally preferred riding a mule while moving around, using a saddle made of date-palm fiber. Sometimes he also rode his she-camel. If he was riding and somebody wished to accompany him on foot, he would ask him either to mount behind, and if the man declined out of respect, he would ask him to go ahead and await him at the fixed place, because he did not like the sight of people following him on foot, while he himself was mounted.

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) and sacrifice of the Lamb

On group journeys, Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) would work like the others and would never let anybody work instead of him. Just as Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw), and his companions landed from their rides, and laid the loads down, it was decided that they would sacrifice a lamb for dinner.

One of the companions volunteered: "I will sacrifice the lamb."

Another companion said: "I will skin it."

Third companion said: "I will cook it."

Fourth one: "I will ..."

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw): "I will gather the wood from the desert."

The group: "O Messenger of Allah (SWT), it is not becoming of you to discomfort yourself as such. You rest. We will be honored to do all this on our own."

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw): "I know that you are eager to do it all, but Allah (SWT) isn't pleased with the slave who distinguishes between himself and his companions, and considers himself better than others."

Then Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) went to the desert, and gathered some firewood, and brought it to the group.

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) and Tying the Camel

The caravan had been traveling for few hours now. Signs of fatigue were obvious on their faces. They arrived at a point and stopped. Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) who was also in the caravan, stopped the camel, and landed. Prior to anything, they were in search of water to prepare for prayer.

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) also started searching for water. But soon, returned to his camel, without saying anything to anyone. The companions (Sahabah) were surprised that Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) had ordered stopping here, and now perhaps he would like to move again? Eyes and ears were awaiting his order. But the surprise of the group increased as they saw him approach his camel, and tied its knees, and returned back in search of water.

Noises were raised from every corner: "O Messenger of Allah (SWT), Why didn't you order us to do this for you, and instead you put yourself in discomfort? We would have proudly done that service for you."

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) responded: "Never seek others' help in your affairs, don't lean on others, even if it is a small piece of Miswak (the wood used for brushing teeth)."

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) and Iftar (Fast Breaking)

Anas ibn Malik was one of the companions (Sahabah) who had served Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) for many years. He therefore knew Prophet Muhammad's (saw) habits very well.

When Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) observed a fast, he usually broke it with milk and dates, and in the small hours of the night, he would take simple food for his sahar.

One day, Anas ibn Malik knew that Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) was fasting; so he arranged for his iftar (fast breaking). He kept the milk and dates ready. At the time of iftar Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) did not appear, for the breaking of the fast. Anas ibn Malik thought that Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) might have accepted an invitation and broken his fast elsewhere. So Anas ibn Malik ate the food himself and retired.

When Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) entered the house with another companion, Anas ibn Malik inquired from the companion whether Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) had already eaten. Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) had been dealing with some urgent work and was delayed, and he had not eaten.

Anas ibn Malik felt so ashamed. There was nothing left he could offer to Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw), if he asked for food. Still he waited expectantly, ready to explain the situation to Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw). Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) immediately sensed that Anas ibn Malik was hesitant, so he behaved as if he were not hungry at all and went without supper with a cheerful face. The next day he also fasted.

Anas ibn Malik used to say: "The Messenger of Allah (SWT) never mentioned this incident during his lifetime to anyone."

He invariably stood by his words and pledges. He paid affectionate visits to his relatives and friends but would never take their side unduly. Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) would never permit anybody to backbite others and said, 'I want to meet people with a loving heart.'

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) immensely loved the ritual prayers, but on occasions when people demanded to talk to him about something, he would say his ritual prayers briefly and instead, pay attention to the demands and needs of the people. He would spare no efforts to fulfill the people's needs.

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) treated everyone with great respect and considered nobility and honour to be owing to faith, piety, and good behaviour. He was not interested in wealth or status, nor did he revere anybody for his riches or position.

His behaviour towards slaves was amazingly affectionate, and he would do his best to remove the troubles and sufferings of the slaves and the poor.

A companion of his, who spent full ten years with him, has said: "Throughout my stay with him I never heard an indecent word from his lips and never found him rude to anyone. Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) spoke very politely. Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) was kind to everyone."

Prophet Muhammad's (saw) Tolerance and Forgiveness

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) never attempted to retaliate against the insults and disrespect of anybody, and forgave people's mistakes or their misconduct. His reaction to the torment and disregard of the ignorant people was forgiveness and tolerance.

In spite of all the tortures and torments that the Quraish had inflicted upon Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw), on conquering Makkah, he forgave them and set them free.

In the battle of Uhud, a man named Wahshi killed Hamza ibn Abd Al-Muttalib, the beloved uncle of Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw). However, he forgave his sin. Also, he forgave the many torments and troubles that Abu Sufyan ibn Harb and his wife, Hind bint Utbah, had caused for him and he did not take revenge. However, for all his tolerance and mercifulness, he did not take pity on those who violated Allah's (SWT) threshold and sacred precepts and would punish the violator in accordance with divine rules. In affecting Allah's (SWT) orders, he would take no notice of anybody's intercession.

When Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) was informed that Fatima Mukhzumiyah had committed theft, he punished her according to the laws of Islam concerning theft and did not regard the intercession of Asamata ibn Zayd in this respect, saying, 'The ruin and downfall of the preceding peoples was due to the fact that they did not enforce the laws of punishment in the case of the aristocrats and the people of status. I swear by the One in Whose hands is my life that even if Fatima al-Zahra (his daughter) had committed such a sin, I would cut off her hand.'

Prophet Muhammad's (saw) cleanliness and orderliness

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) was fond of scent and spent more on buying perfumes than on food. His pleasant smell filled the air of any place he passed, so that whosoever passed there knew that Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) had passed that way.

His dress was always clean, though simple. Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) was very mindful of cleanliness. He used to brush his teeth frequently and washed his blessed hands both before and after meals. Whenever Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) was about to leave his house, he would look into a mirror or into water; he always left home with a clean, pleasant appearance.

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) was a pious and sincere worshipper of Allah (SWT)

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) had great love for ritual prayers so that during the night he would get up several times, brush his teeth, and then offer the most devoted prayers. He would stand worshipping Allah (SWT) and talking sincerely to the Almighty Creator for so long that as a result of so much standing in prayer, his legs were swollen.

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) took lessons from watching the sky, the moon, the sun, and every other thing in nature, and these phenomena attracted him to their Creator more than to themselves.

He was so devout and pious that not even for a single moment was he enchanted by any luxury or pleasure of this mortal world. In short, Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) was a perfect model of all excellent virtues and sublime human qualities.

We have just presented a pale reflection of his celestial, resplendent portrait so that all over the world Muslims who regard themselves as the followers of Islam can make his morals and conduct their own model of behaviour and learn divine morality and correct programs for life from him.

As Noble Qur'an says, 'Certainly you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar for him who hopes in Allah and the latter day and remembers Allah much.' (33:21)

May Allah's greetings be upon him who was the selected superior and the best of pious human beings and the greetings of the angels upon the faithful.

We too greet him most cordially and sincerely. May he accept our respectful greetings as well as the greetings of you, our sisters and brothers in Islam. May Almighty Allah (SWT) help all of us to follow exactly the blessed footsteps of Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw), whose path is sure to lead us into eternal salvation and paradise.

Prophet Muhammad's (saw) life was a practical demonstration of Noble Qur'an. His life and his character are exemplary for the Muslims. Even Non-Muslims have acknowledged the strength of his beautiful character. Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) spread the light of Islam to far flung areas in a short span of 23 years. But do not forget, it was based on a strong foundation of character, which he had built over 40 years prior to spreading the message of Islam.

Today, we Muslims will have to think whether we have built our characters on the same pattern as was the character of our Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw). Unfortunately, our characters are not reflective of Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw). As a result, Islam is disgraced and subdued in the entire world. This is all because we Muslims failed to follow our dear Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) and failed to build our characters. May Almighty Allah (SWT) help us all to strengthen our characters and become the beacons of Islam.